Subject: [FCG] CW Sprint next Saturday!
Date: Fri, 27 Aug 1999 11:41:11 EDT
From: K1to@aol.com
To: fcg@qth.net

Fellow FCGers,

(portions copied from an N6TR CQ-Contest post)

The CW Sprint is coming up on the 4th of September - (not the 11th as shown in February's results). I realize this is a holiday weekend, but I hope most of you can make it on to hand out some QSOs.

If you have never operated the Sprint before - this might be a good time to give it a try. It is one of the most intense radio experiences out there.

The contest starts at 00Z on Sept 5th (Sept 4th local time). It goes for four hours. Activity will initially be on 20 meters. Stations start QSYing to 40 around 0115 UTC, but there will still be activity on 20 as late as 0230 UTC, espec, for us FL stations! The last hour of the contest is mostly spent on 80 meters. After the contest - many people check in on 3830 to exchange scores and stories.

Full rules can be found in QST or at http://www.ncjweb.com/. The exchange is QSO number, name and state/province/DX.

Here are some pointers for the first timer:

1. The code speeds typically used are over 30 WPM - however, if you are not comfortable at that speed - feel free to call CQ at your own speed and people will QRS for you. A good place to do this is above the concentration of activity (typically around 55 or 60 kHz above the band edge). Most sprint operators keep an ear out for slower speed stations up there. The QRM is also less.

2. The QSY rule is unique to the sprints. If you call CQ and work someone as a result - when you are done - you must QSY at least 5 kHz to call another CQ. This means the guy who answered your CQ inherits your frequency.

3. A good way to increase rate is to find someone who is just finishing up a QSO and call them. After the QSO is complete - you inherit the frequency and can work another station. You get two QSOs for each frequency instead of just one if you were only CQing.

NOTE: The standard protocol for a QSO is to always include both callsigns when you send the exchange.

Ex:
CQ NA K1TO
N4BP
N4BP K1TO 333 DAN FL
K1TO 333 BOB FL N4BP
TU
(pileup then descends on N4BP, who takes over the frequency for one more QSO)

When I sent Bob the exchange, I sent my call immediately after his. This is a signal to any listeners NOT to call me after they hear my end of the exchange. When Bob finishes his part, he signs his call last. This is the cue to call him (AFTER I get to send the "TU" that completes the QSO). So, the moral of the story is to always listen for callsigns at the end of the exchange (or CQ) and only call then, not when you hear a state being sent last.

If you made it this far in my message, you are a candidate for a TEAM. Another unique aspect of the Sprint is the team competition. ANY 10 stations can pre-register as a team, regardless of location. I'd love to see the FCG field at least one full team. Who's interested?

By the way, there is a significant effort under way to promote activity in this one. There will be no shortage of QSOs to be had!

vy 73, Dan